Obama's Response To Fallen Soldier's Uncle

To everyone. Spc. Jared Stanker, killed in action is Afghanistan on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 is our nephew. He is my brother Kevin's son. He will certainly be missed. We all loved him very much.

As you probably all know, President Obama was at the Dignified Transfer at Dover AFB in Delaware. I attended with Kevin. We met President Obama and received his condlences. Basically he passed from one family member to another - very dignified. I could not pass up a short, respectful conversation with the President.


President Obama attended the Dignified Transfer of Spc. Jared D. Stanker in the early morning hours of Thursday, October 29, 2009 at Dover AFB, Delaware. He personally and individually expressed his condolences and great appreciation for the service of each soldier coming home.

As he approached Jared’s father, Kevin, and me, our military escort introduced Kevin to the President. The President extended his hand and shook Kevin’s hand and the President expressed the condolences and appreciation of a grateful country. Kevin and he then talked for a minute or two about Jared. Kevin then turned towards me and introduced me to the President as Jared’s Uncle Bob. Once again the President extended his hand to shake my hand and he likewise expressed the condolences and appreciation of Jared’s sacrifice. I shook the President’s hand and simultaneously reached out with my left hand and took hold of his right forearm. I accepted and said thank you to the President for his expression of condolences. I continued to hold his hand in a handshake and continued holding his right forearm with my left hand for the following discussion. As I can best remember, this is what I said:

With all due respect, Mr. President, I feel that you should support our troops in Afghanistan now since YOU decided to send additional troops to Afghanistan in March of this year. If you feel that you cannot give them the support that they need, then I think you should withdraw all troops from Afghanistan NOW since you must feel that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness cannot be attained in that part of the world.

President Obama responded by saying that we will always fight for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. At this point I felt that the President thought that the conversation was over. However, I continued holding his right hand and his right forearm.

I responded with this simple question. “When will that decision be made?”

President Obama responded by stating that “that decision will be made in the near future based on wise considerations.”

I simply responded by stating “You’ve had ten months.” At which time I broke the handshake that I had maintained throughout this brief conversation and released his right forearm. Both of which I had maintained throughout this entire conversation.

The President then went on to the next family.

I also heard a radio interview on WLS radio this morning. ABC had interviewed the mother of Sgt. Dale Griffin of Terre Haute, Indiana. The reporter asked Dona Griffin what if anything she said to the President. She said “Mr. President, please don’t leave our troops hanging.” See that brief interview at;

abcnews.go.com...

We are not the silent masses. We do make our voices heard and we do support our troops.

Bob Stanker

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
Obama will not likely make this decision before his trip to Asia, which is scheduled to be from Nov. 11th to Nov. 20th.



Cheney has the nerve to criticize Obama on taking so long to make a decision after a request for additional troops sat on his desk for 8 months and was finally filled by Obama in March. Cheney also has the nerve to say ANYTHING about Afghanistan after he virtually ignored Afghanistan for his entire term. Cheney has no room to speak at all. And anyone who listens to him now is just grasping at straws.



Making rash, ill-informed decisions has been tried. That's why we're in this mess. And because of that, thousands have died. I, for one, am GLAD that Obama is taking his time, gathering all the intelligence and information he needs to make a wise and educated decision. It's certainly a CHANGE from the last administration.

Making another hasty decision like his predecessors would be a disaster as that's what got us into this mess. I understand wanting to bring this war to an end. Believe me, I want to bring the soldiers home NOW. But this war is 8 years old and no good decisions were made during that time. Surely we can wait 2-3 more weeks for a GOOD decision to be made... I know I can.

Source

When asked for additional troops either you fill the request or you pull out. If you're going to fight, fight to win, if not get the hell out.

Hatch: 'I hope' Obama not delaying troop decision to help Corzine and Deeds

Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Barack Obama has spent "close to 20 direct hours" in meetings on Afghanistan since Gen. Stanley McChrystal's request for tens of thousands of reinforcements was submitted over two months ago with a warning the war would be lost in twelve months without more troops.

Originally posted by Benevolent HereticMaking rash, ill-informed decisions has been tried. That's why we're in this mess. And because of that, thousands have died. I, for one, am GLAD that Obama is taking his time, gathering all the intelligence and information he needs to make a wise and educated decision. It's certainly a CHANGE from the last administration.

"And there's a new phrase which is floating around the White House which is 'minimum security'. That we're not actually aiming for a country which is stable that we are in control of, but we are aiming for a minimum amount of security and perhaps even a negotiated settlement with the Taliban."

Obama has concluded the U.S. cannot beat the Taliban and that he has requested new studies this week, one of each province to determine which ones may be ceded to the Taliban and another for troop levels other than those requested by Gen. McChrystal over two months ago.